Remote controlled line locking, slack pulling cable logging carriage

Abstract

A remote controlled slack pulling log skidding carriage is provided for feeding a slack drag line toward a log to be skidded. A drive sheave rotatably mounted in the carriage is operated by a hydraulic motor. The fluid to operate the motor is stored in one or more accumulators, and a radio controlled valve starts and stops the flow of fluid to the motor. A mechanically operated hydraulic pump also is provided to recharge the accumulators during a skidding operation. A reciprocating locking assembly is provided to alternately lock the carriage to the skyline or to the slack line.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable logging carriage comprising: (a) a frame;   (b) a skyline sheave mounted on said frame for engagement with a skyline whereby said carriage can traverse the skyline;   (c) a brake pad disposed adjacent to said skyline sheave;   (d) a skidding line sheave mounted on said frame and spaced apart from said skyline sheave, said skidding line sheave being operable to engage a skidding line which is adapted to be attached to cut logs;   (e) a single hydraulic cylinder mounted on said frame and interposed between said skyline and skidding sheaves;   (f) a first ram member movably mounted on said cylinder and extending from one end thereof toward said skyline sheave, said first ram member being movable between an extended position and a retracted position;   (g) a first brake shoe mounted on a distal end of said first ram member and operable with said brake pad to grip the skyline when said first ram member is in said extended position to lock said carriage in a fixed position on the skyline;   (h) a second ram member movably mounted on said cylinder and extending from the other end thereof toward said skidding line sheave, said second ram member being movable between an extended position and a retracted position.   (i) a second brake shoe mounted on a distal end of said second ram member and operable to grip the skidding line against said skidding line sheave when said second ram member is in said extended position to lock the skidding line to said carriage; and   (j) means for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic cylinder to selectively move said first ram member to its extended position while concurrently moving said second ram member to its retracted position and visa versa.   
     
     
       2. The cable logging carriage of claim 1 further comprising a radio signal receiver mounted on said frame and operable to energize said means for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic cylinder.